PENTAX DSLRs: (ND) Neutral Density filters and why you don't need them if you have a Pentax DSLR, and specifically a Pentax K-3.

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Photographer friends,

Sooner or later, we all want to take pictures like the images below. The usual method of creating gentle mist of rushing water or clouds, is with the use of Neutral Density (ND) filters. ND filters reduce the amount of light reaching the sensor without affecting colors. They allow using a longer exposure time, and in turn, images of rushing water, waterfalls or clouds take the appearance of soft velvety movement. It is a great way to emphasize movement is a scene.

For a complete lesson on how ND filters are used, visit the site below at "Digital CAMERA World":

How and when to use ND filters

The images above were taken from the Internet
and are all free to use by anyone.
They are mostly used for screen saver.
They all have that velvety look of rushing water.

ND filters come in various styles, from circular filters that screw into the lens thread to square filters that are inserted in a special holder. Filters are available in several density and can also be stacked. It is a great way to achieve images like the images above. However, if you have a Pentax DSLR and more specifically a Pentax K-3, you can discard the use of ND filters to attain similar results.

Neutral Density Filters - Round versus Square

Here's how:

Using the four-way controller, press the up button to the Drive Mode. Set the drive mode to Multi-Exposure or Multi-Exposure+Continuous. (When using Continuous, pressing the shutter release once will automatically trigger the number of shots chosen.) Set the Composite Mode to Average and then set the number of shots you want. You should use a remote control if possible. Use a tripod.

Your K-3 screen will look like this in the Drive Mode,
when ready to shoot.

In this first example, I took my first picture at 1/180th sec,
and took only one exposure.
The image is crystal clear.

In this second picture, I increased the number of shots to 10.
You can see that the water is a little blurry.

Increasing the exposure to 20 produced a softer look.

With 30 exposures, the water is almost as velvety as I wanted.

Finally, I took 40 sequential images,
and achieved what I was looking for.
The K-3 can take up to 2000 exposures in one frame.
Your battery will drain before getting to 2000.

I hope you can achieve the results you want, without spending money for ND filters. The K-3 is really a great DSLR. Go ahead and experiment.

Thank you for visiting,

Yvon Bourque

Want more tips? Get one of our e-books.